Owls

Saturday, 2-9-08

More fun on yet another confusing flight.  We’re now able to track the owl after fly out and find his mate, but we still can’t find her cavity.

It was raining lightly, so he too a little longer than usual getting out of bed.
We heard the female to the north before he flew out.  It was a strange evening.  He flew to a tree south of his cavity, then west across the drive, made lots of calls and flew back to the Loch.
We then searched for them to the north and found both of them.  They soon copulated, and we then lost them.  Again, we left with more questions than answers.
Owls

Friday, 2-8-08

Friday was a fun, but confusing night.  The female continues to appear out of nowhere, and we can’t figure out what stage she’s in, pre-egg laying, sitting on eggs or with hatchlings.

One of owl group takes a short cut down into the Loch off the bridge.  For the first time, we see him raise his ears at us.  We all pledge never to take the short cut!
The owl quickly takes a relaxed posture, so no harm was done.
The owl slowly creeps higher and higher before fly out.  However, when you see both feet at the edge, fly out is only moments away.
A quick look behind.
A jump to the “backdoor” and out he goes.
He moved north.
And was joined by his mate.
There was lots of head rubbing but no copulation this evening.
One flew off and we were left with one.
After this shot was taken, we started to exit the park.  By their 2007 nesting cavity, we first heard and then saw the pair.  As we exited the park, we realized with each day, we end up with more questions than answers.
Owls

Wednesday, 2-6-08

Nothing tonight.  Nada.  But I’ve had great luck so far this season, so it’s cool.

Tuesday, two owl watchers saw the owl fly out and then be joined by its mate.  Calling and copulation occurred.  So, I think we’re got the same pair as last year, just in a new spot.